SHELLEY BRENNER BAIRD
STATEMENT
An archivist by instinct, I collect and create images to construct a visual vocabulary. I make non-literal narratives, finding connections and catalysts that tell a story in time and place with people, objects, marks and layers.
My working habits and processes originate from my formal studies in printmaking, painting/drawing, photography, graphic design and textiles. I am idea-driven, not process or materials-driven. I view processes as tools in my toolbox.
Instead of a sketchbook, I keep an idea book of words, concepts, titles and newspaper headlines. I never sketch or plan extensively as I like spontaneity and don’t mind being taken in totally unexpected directions.
